Outcasts of Order

by L. E. Modesitt Jr

  Beltur could sense Lhadoraak’s overtly concealed unease, but also admired his friend’s ability to present the truth in a fashion only slightly deceptive.

  Barrynt turned to Beltur. “I don’t understand this. Can you make it clearer?”

  For a moment, Beltur hesitated, but he could only see that any evasion was just going to make Lhadoraak’s position worse. “I can. I didn’t wish to upset you unduly, but Jorhan’s and my escape from Elparta wasn’t without cost. Two mages tried to kill us as we were leaving the smithy. In the struggle, Jorhan killed one with a hammer, and I killed the other with magery. We hid their bodies and left as quickly as we could. They were trying to kill us for the reasons I told you earlier. I suspect that, because I’d spent quite a bit of time in the eightdays before we left in healing Taelya—that’s Lhadoraak’s daughter—when the Mages’ Council could not find the missing mages, they believed Lhadoraak had something to do with that. He knew nothing of that, but suspicion clearly fell on him.”

  Barrynt frowned, if but slightly, then addressed Lhadoraak. “Did you know of this?”

  “No, ser. That is, not until Beltur told me last night. Meldryn had only told me that Beltur had left Elparta one step ahead of Cohndar and Waensyn. Those were the two mages who tried to kill him and Jorhan.” Lhadoraak paused. “I did know that both Cohndar and Waensyn had schemed to stop Jorhan and Beltur from forging cupridium.”

  “When mages get involved in trading…” Barrynt shook his head. “A mage and a smith find a way to make something and profit from it, and everyone wants to take advantage of it.” He smiled sadly. “I know Beltur can make a living here. He’s already doing it. What did you do in Elparta?”

  “I inspected boats and wagons to make certain goods were not hidden from the tariff inspectors.”

  “Were you good at it?”

  “I’d like to think so. I found things the inspectors could never have discovered.”

  “Hmmm. I don’t know that our council has considered that. We only have a few mages here in Axalt. I might be able to talk to Naerkaal about that. You might be able to help the border guards. What else can you do?”

  “My grandsire was a cabinetmaker. I’m still skilled enough to assist in such a shop. I can tell if there are faults in the wood before it’s cut.”

  Beltur hadn’t known that. But you never asked.

  “Do you have any tools?”

  Lhadoraak shook his head. “The tools all went to my uncle.”

  “Tools can be replaced. Skills have to be learned.” The merchant pursed his lips. “You do know, Beltur—”

  “Ser … you have been incredibly welcoming and generous to us. All I’m asking is for any suggestions you may have as to whom Lhadoraak might talk to and how best to approach them. I’ve not been here long enough to know many people except for you and your family, those at the healing house, and a few others.”

  Barrynt smiled, if faintly. “That’s more than fair. So is your hosting of your friend and his family. I’d like a day or so to think over who might be best for you, Lhadoraak, to contact.”

  “I greatly appreciate that, ser.” Lhadoraak inclined his head. “I also appreciate your taking the time to hear me out.”

  “If a man doesn’t hear things out, he’s likely to make mistakes he’ll regret. I’ve already too many regrets to add to them.”

  While that statement surprised Beltur, he wasn’t about to ask. “I do thank you. We won’t take any more of your time. You and Johlana have been more than helpful in so many ways.”

  “You were helpful to her and to Jorhan. Fair’s fair.”

  Beltur inclined his head, then stepped back.

  “Hear good things about you at the healing house, Beltur. Word gets around.” Barrynt returned his attention to the wool.

  Both mages slipped away.

  Once they were outside, Lhadoraak said quietly, “Something’s bothering him. I don’t think it was us, either.”

  “I got that impression. But he will think about where you might be useful. He’s always been a man of his word.”

  “He strikes me that way, although I don’t think I’d want to get on his bad side.”

  “He has a temper. I’ve only seen it once, but I don’t think I’d want him in a rage,” replied Beltur as they turned eastward toward the cot.

  LV

  Threeday’s breakfast was far better than that of twoday, with enough egg toast for everyone and ham strips, if thin, to accompany the toast, as well as more berry syrup, all as a result of what Jessyla had been able to purchase on twoday. At the same time, Beltur worried about how long he’d need to support Lhadoraak and his family.

  Even as he thought that, he felt ashamed, especially after thinking about how long Athaal and Meldryn had supported him.

  Yet why are you so worried about everything? He smiled wryly as he thought about the answer to his own question. A single mage, even a pair of mages, couldn’t stand against a united group, either the council of a city or a land, or a group of traders or merchants with thousands of golds who could hire or pay both armsmen and other mages. While Beltur himself was stronger than most mages he’d met, there were doubtless others stronger and more experienced … and Jessyla was just beginning to learn what she could do. So … you have to do what you must to get along while you and Jessyla learn and, hopefully, earn.

  He nodded to himself as he prepared to leave.

  Both Beltur and Jessyla left at the same time, Beltur for Barrynt’s stable and Jessyla to the healing house. After he finished with the horses and the stables, Beltur hurried to the smithy, once more under a cold and clear green-blue sky, his breath trailing him like white smoke.

  When Beltur entered the smithy and began to take off his coat and scarf, Jorhan looked up from the workbench. “Understand we’ve got another black mage here.”

  “Lhadoraak. The Council exiled him and his family. They’re staying with us until they can get settled somewhere.”

  “Seems like it might be a trace crowded in your cot.”

  “We hadn’t planned on anything like that.” Beltur walked to the forge. “It’s a good thing there are only three of them.”

  After a moment, Jorhan said, “Barrynt’s worried about how we left Elparta. He asked if there had been any other way. I told him I hadn’t seen any.”

  “I was afraid of that, but I didn’t want to lie. Lhadoraak’s arrival made any further evasion impossible without outright lying.”

  Jorhan offered a wry smile. “You’re still a black in that regard.”

  “I’m afraid that’s not going to change.”

  “We might as well get working on the melt for the bud vases.”

  Beltur moved to the bellows.

  By two quints after third glass, two cupridium bud vases and an oval frame for a miniature were ready for Jorhan to begin the final polish and finishing work.

  “When you finish polishing them,” asked Beltur, “then what?”

  “Barrynt’s going to put them on display in his factorage. Over time, he thinks people will be interested.”

  Beltur hoped Barrynt was right. But then, he’s the trader, and he hasn’t done badly. That brought up another question. “Do you know why it’s called Mountain Factorage?”

  “Because it’s in the mountains, I guess. Why?”

  “Most factorages bear the name of a town, a river, or the owner. I just wondered.”

  “Barrynt’s never said. Johlana hasn’t, either. I never thought about that.” The smith’s brow furrowed. “What made you think of that?”

  “I was thinking about Vaenturl, the trader we accompanied. He said that if we ever got to Vergren to ask for him at Essek’s Factorage. Then I thought about Barrynt’s place, and I realized that it was the only factorage I’d seen with a name like that, not that I’ve seen that many.”

  “Never thought of it that way.” Jorhan shrugged. “You might as well head back. I’ll see you on fiveday, unless I see you in the stable.”

/>   “Until fiveday.”

  On the walk back, Beltur found he was still worrying about what he’d said to Barrynt. But if you hadn’t said what you and Jorhan had done, then what Lhadoraak said wouldn’t have made sense … unless he’d admitted that Taelya was a white. And Beltur felt that definitely wasn’t a good idea, although he couldn’t have said why.

  When Beltur stepped inside the cot and took off his coat and scarf, he saw that there was a fire in the hearth, and the smell of something good cooking. He also noticed that the woodbox had been refilled and a stack of kindling and split wood set to one side.

  Lhadoraak greeted him with a smile. “I split more logs and set the split ones on the side of the woodpile.”

  “Thank you. I do appreciate it.”

  “Tulya’s cooking up a hearty ham and bean soup, and some maize bread.”

  “Both Jessyla and I will appreciate that.” Beltur walked over and stood before the fire.

  “I also carried some water to the cistern and used order to remove the little chaos that there was.”

  “You’ve been busy.”

  “All that didn’t take that long. I walked around Axalt some and talked to one cabinetmaker. His shop is just off the main square. He’ll pay me to look at woods, and he did give me half a silver for going through his stock.” The blond mage smiled crookedly. “Every copper helps.”

  Beltur nodded at that. “How are Taelya and Tulya doing?”

  “Tulya’s worried and happy. She’s happy to be out of Elparta, but worried about the future.” Lhadoraak smiled. “Right now, Taelya’s in the kitchen, helping her mother, but she’s been working hard on keeping her two kinds of chaos separate and practicing her shields. It dawned on her this morning that you’ll be here all the time.” He shook his head. “Children.”

  “That’s because you’re her father, and I’m not. I didn’t pay as much attention to my uncle as I should have. Athaal was the one who really taught me.”

  “That may be, but you know more than I do.”

  “Athaal likely knew more than both of us.”

  Lhadoraak frowned. “You’re being generous. He knew a great deal, but you’ve done things he never thought possible.”

  “No. I just carried them further than he thought possible.” Beltur laughed ruefully.

  They both turned as the front door opened and Jessyla stepped inside.

  Beltur immediately walked toward her, wrapping his arms around her even before she could escape the confines of her coat. “How was your day?”

  “Not much happened for once.” Jessyla smiled as she slipped out of the coat and left Beltur holding it. “I even talked a little with Herrara. I do like her. She works hard.”

  “She does. How is Wurfael?”

  “He doesn’t seem quite as gloomy as before. I talked to him a little. He wanted to know if you had any idea about hard times. So I told him a little about your life. He was surprised.”

  “You mean he thought I’d never had hard times?” Beltur thought he’d at least suggested that.

  “He thought you’d had hard times, but that you’d come from a well-off family.”

  At that moment, Tulya walked out from the kitchen, followed by Taelya. “Jessyla! You’re home.”

  “You must be the one cooking. Whatever it is, it smells wonderful,” declared Jessyla.

  “It’s just a hearty ham and bean soup, more beans than ham,” said Tulya. “I made enough for two nights. It’ll keep.”

  “Thank you so much.”

  “It will be ready as soon as you are.”

  “Just let me wash up.”

  Less than a quint later, all five were seated around the kitchen table. The bean soup was every bit as good as it smelled, and Beltur had to admit that Tulya was a better cook than either he or Jessyla was.

  Once dinner was over, and the kitchen cleaned up, Beltur announced, “It’s time for lessons. Magery lessons, here in the kitchen. Taelya?”

  “Yes, ser.”

  Beltur just nodded at Jessyla.

  Lhadoraak and Tulya slipped back into the front room.

  Beltur studied Taelya for several moments, then said, “Taelya … your separation of natural chaos and free chaos is good.”

  “You didn’t have me do that,” murmured Jessyla.

  “You’re black, through and through. You tend to keep free chaos at a distance, by instinct. So that wasn’t as important for you as learning to use order to handle chaos. Taelya needs to use order to separate natural chaos from free chaos.”

  “Why is that, ser?” asked Taelya.

  “If you mix natural chaos with free chaos, over time it will hurt you very much. That’s why you need to always separate free chaos from natural chaos. Because she’s a black, Jessyla naturally tries to keep free chaos away from her. So she has to learn how to use order to gather and handle free chaos.” Beltur looked hard at Taelya. “Now … let’s see your shields.”

  The girl formed a circular shield. The order nodes holding the chaos threads were barely present.

  “Taelya … your shields aren’t any stronger than when you were in Elparta. Did you practice much?”

  “I sort of forgot while we were traveling. It was cold. I was hungry, too.”

  “I can understand that. Are you hungry now? Is it cold in here?” asked Beltur gently.

  “No, ser.”

  “You need to make the order knots stronger. Otherwise, your shield will fall apart at the slightest touch.”

  The girl immediately began to concentrate.

  “Just watch her with your senses,” Beltur told Jessyla.

  Taelya’s second effort was clearly stronger than her first, with slightly larger order nodes.

  “Taelya, that’s better, but it’s not as large as you were doing in Elparta. Rest and watch Jessyla with your senses.” He turned to his consort. “Try a complete shield around yourself.”

  Jessyla did just that.

  “All right. I’m going to jab at it with order. Hold it as long as you can.”

  Beltur’s first thrust was moderate and didn’t even dent the shield. Her shield held as well against a second, much harder thrust. “Good.” His eyes went to Taelya. “Now you try a shield all the way around yourself.”

  The girl’s first attempt collapsed before she could link the order and chaos threads. Beltur said nothing. The second attempt held, although Beltur knew it would have collapsed under even modest pressure.

  “Keep holding that, just like it is.” Beltur looked to Jessyla. “Now … I want you to create a shield that blocks everything, all sight, all order and chaos. You’ve seen me do that. It’s your turn to try it.”

  Jessyla nodded and rebuilt her shield, then added another layer. With that, she was invisible, both to sight and to order/chaos senses.

  “Both of you, keep holding those shields.”

  Taelya’s shield collapsed after about half a quint. Beltur let Jessyla hold hers for a while beyond that before he said, “Jessyla, you can drop your full shield, but keep the one that protects you from physical damage.”

  Jessyla reappeared, standing next to the kitchen table.

  “Taelya, you need to practice holding that shield until you can hold it a full quint. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, ser.”

  “I’d like to have you both try something else. I want you each to see how many points of free chaos you can call up. Each one has to be surrounded by a shell of free order.”

  Taelya frowned.

  “I know,” Beltur said. “There’s not much use for that skill. By itself, that is. But once you can create lots of points of chaos shielded by order, you’ll be able to do other things.” Like multiple containments.

  Taelya could do one point, easily, but every time she tried to create a second point, the first point disintegrated.

  Jessyla managed two points, but trying to create a third point resulted in her losing the second point after a few moments, although after she’d tried for almost a
quint, the third point held for several moments.

  Both Taelya and Jessyla looked relieved when Beltur finally said, “I think that’s enough.” Beltur smiled at the girl. “You worked hard, Taelya. You need to work that hard when I’m not around … but just on what I’ve showed you.”

  “I can do that.”

  “Good night, Taelya.”

  “Good night, ser.”

  As Taelya left the kitchen, Lhadoraak appeared, glancing at his daughter as she passed him and then to Jessyla. “I didn’t see it before. You’re not just a healer. You’re a mage, too.”

  “A beginning mage.”

  “If you can do full shields, you’re more than that.”

  “I can’t hold them that long.”

  “But they’re strong. I could sense them from the other room.” He looked to Beltur. “How…? First Taelya, and now Jessyla.”

  “They both have the ability. I just had to find ways to get them to be able to use it.”

  “Did Cohndar know you could teach magery?”

  “I doubt it. I never tried until I started working with Taelya. I just followed what I’d learned from Uncle and especially from Athaal.”

  Lhadoraak shook his head. “I worked a little with Athaal. You do things I never saw from him.”

  “He wasn’t working with a true white,” Beltur pointed out.

  Lhadoraak smiled. “Tell me. Did your uncle teach you what you’ve done with Taelya?”

  Beltur had to think, then said, ruefully, “As best I can recall, he didn’t do anything with me that I’ve done with Taelya … or with Jessyla.” After a moment, he added, “But what he did worked, at least partly. What everyone else did wasn’t working with Taelya or Jessyla.”

  “That’s why you’re a better teacher. You try to find new ways to do things when the old ways don’t work.”

  “And some of what I’ve tried hasn’t worked for me, either.”

  “From what I’ve seen, quite a bit does.”

  “He’s right about that, dear,” added Jessyla.

  “How did you know Jessyla could be a mage?” asked Lhadoraak.

  “Because she could sense so much about order and chaos. It didn’t seem right that she couldn’t be. So I just worked until I found a way.”